Seven Lakes building on early success

Published 3:59 pm, Tuesday, March 11, 2014

Seven Lakes' Cole Jackson connects with the ball as the Spartans beat Kempner earlier this season.

Seven Lakes' Cole Jackson connects with the ball as the Spartans beat Kempner earlier this season.

Photo: Diana L. Porter, Freelance

Image 2 of 11

Seven Lakes varsity baseball coach Chad Payne.

Seven Lakes varsity baseball coach Chad Payne.

Photo: Diana L. Porter, Freelance

Image 3 of 11

Seven Lakes' pitcher Mason Kukowski firs off a pitch as the Spartans took on Kempner at Kempner High School on March 7, 2014.

Seven Lakes' pitcher Mason Kukowski firs off a pitch as the Spartans took on Kempner at Kempner High School on March 7, 2014.

Photo: Diana L. Porter, Freelance

Image 4 of 11

Seven Lakes' Andrew Tanous connects with the ball as the Spartans took on Kempner at Kempner High School on March 7, 2014.

Seven Lakes' Andrew Tanous connects with the ball as the Spartans took on Kempner at Kempner High School on March 7, 2014.

Photo: Diana L. Porter, Freelance

Image 5 of 11

Kempner's Soke Agbalokwu tries to get back to second base and get around Seven Lakes' Beau O'Hara as the Spartans took on Kempner at Kempner High School on March 7, 2014.

Kempner's Soke Agbalokwu tries to get back to second base and get around Seven Lakes' Beau O'Hara as the Spartans took on Kempner at Kempner High School on March 7, 2014.

Photo: Diana L. Porter, Freelance

Image 6 of 11

Seven Lakes' pitcher Mason Kukowski firs off a pitch as the Spartans took on Kempner at Kempner High School on March 7, 2014.

Seven Lakes' pitcher Mason Kukowski firs off a pitch as the Spartans took on Kempner at Kempner High School on March 7, 2014.

Photo: Diana L. Porter, Freelance

Image 7 of 11

Seven Lakes' Bryan Sturges heads for second after hitting a first inning double as the Spartans took on Kempner at Kempner High School on March 7, 2014.

Seven Lakes' Bryan Sturges heads for second after hitting a first inning double as the Spartans took on Kempner at Kempner High School on March 7, 2014.

Photo: Diana L. Porter, Freelance

Image 8 of 11

Seven Lakes' Beau O'Hara tags out Dylan Ducek of Kempner as the Spartans took the Cougars at Kempner High School on March 7, 2014.

Seven Lakes' Beau O'Hara tags out Dylan Ducek of Kempner as the Spartans took the Cougars at Kempner High School on March 7, 2014.

Photo: Diana L. Porter, Freelance

Image 9 of 11

Seven Lakes' pitcher Mason Kukowski has a second inning conference with catcher Andrew Tanous as the Spartans took on Kempner at Kempner High School on March 7, 2014.

Seven Lakes' pitcher Mason Kukowski has a second inning conference with catcher Andrew Tanous as the Spartans took on Kempner at Kempner High School on March 7, 2014.

Photo: Diana L. Porter, Freelance

Image 10 of 11

Seven Lakes' Connel Capel heads towards third base in the first inning as the Spartans took on Kempner at Kempner High School on March 7, 2014.

Seven Lakes' Connel Capel heads towards third base in the first inning as the Spartans took on Kempner at Kempner High School on March 7, 2014.

Photo: Diana L. Porter, Freelance

Image 11 of 11

Seven Lakes building on early success

1 / 11

Back to Gallery

For Seven Lakes, 2013 was an interesting year, to say the least.

The Spartan baseball team endured injuries, inconsistencies and other inexplicable issues, but it kept its playoff streak intact, qualifying as District 19-5A's fourth seed and eliminating Lamar in the first round.

"We did battle a lot of adversity, a lot of injuries, and unusual things happened, and yet we were still able to get in the playoffs, and we felt that was an accomplishment," coach Chad Payne said.

"But, with the talent we had last year, we would have liked to have gone a little bit further and done a little bit more."

The Spartans may have less talent this year but, so far, they're doing more.

The Spartans beat Lamar (4-3), Westside (3-2), Elkins (9-1) and Stratford (6-1) in an eye-opening experience for the players.

But Payne said the strong start only made them hungrier.

"They're just playing, and it's really nice," Payne said.

Pitching is the key.

The Spartans have kept things going on the mound, despite losing Duplantier and Capel, who also pitched.

Senior Mason Kukowski has stepped up, sophomore Conner Capel is throwing well, and senior Cy Payne completes what Payne expects to be a three-man rotation in district, with Kukowski the likely No. 1.

The righthander primarily manned second last year, and he's back there again when he's not pitching. Payne said he has good power and velocity, and he sports a curveball and effective changeup.

"We wanted to give him an opportunity this year to show what he can do on the mound and he's been very, very good," Payne said.

Capel, who's at first when he's not pitching, is a lefty with velocity.

"As a sophomore, he needs more time out there to develop a little more consistency, but he can be overpowering, and he is very electric on the mound," Payne said.

The defense has been outstanding behind the pitchers, which is somewhat surprising considering their youth and lack of practice time because of the unseasonably cold and, at times, icy weather.

The Spartans also have lost several tournament games to inclement weather.

"You can't really tell that we haven't been on the field because our kids are making the plays they should be making, the routine plays," Payne said. "And you expect to make an error or mistake here and there, but our kids have been pretty consistent so far."

They're all returning varsity players who were in backup roles last season, except Sturges, who's the top newcomer off junior varsity.

"He's one of those kids who were trying to tame, but he is very good," Payne said.

Payne said he doesn't know who much his Spartans have been tested.

They've faced quality programs, but they may not have been at the top of their games, outside of Klein, which beat Seven Lakes 5-4 in 10 innings in the season opener. The Spartans beat Kempner 3-1 Friday.

The big test is coming up next week, when they face Katy and Cinco Ranch back-to-back.

"Right now, we don't know exactly how good we are, and we're going to find out in district," Payne said.